The O’s are finally back home after starting the second half of the season with a 6-4 road trip. The Birds pitching was phenomenal over the trip, holding opponents to only 3.3 runs per game, while the offense sputtered to the tune of 3.6 runs per game. The fact that the Orioles offense currently ranks 29th in the MLB in home offense is something that’s long overdue for a correction. It’s time for us to pack the yard, and for the O’s to bring out the fucking bats!

This is a rematch from last week’s series finale between the two clubs. The Birds lost, 3-2, after their bullpen walked three straight batters in the 8th inning to piss away both the game and the sweep. It was an absolutely infuriating way to lose, and I wish I never brought it up. On a positive note, Tillman pitched very well, holding the Angels to one run on five hits and two walks, with three strikeouts over six innings. Tillman is 2-0 in three career starts against the Angels with a 1.74 ERA and 1.02 WHIP, despite only striking out nine batters in 20 2/3 innings.

Weaver earned the win in his start against the O’s last week after pitching eight strong innings. Weaver surrendered only two runs on six hits while striking out six. Weaver has gone 7-4 in 11 career starts against the Orioles, posting a 2.97 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. Fortunately, the Birds have had success against the three-time All-Star in Baltimore. In Weaver’s four starts at Camden Yards, he’s 2-2 with a 6.23 ERA and 1.57 WHIP. Chen can dig it!

Good News: Nick Markakis is 8-for-28 with a home run, Adam Jones is 6-for-20 with a home run, Delmon Young is 4-for-15 with a home run, and David Lough is 2-for-4 off Weaver. Josh Hamilton is 1-for-12, Erick Aybar is 1-for-9, and Howie Kendrick is 1-for-6 off Tillman.

Bad News: Nelson Cruz is 15-for-69 with two home runs, Chris Davis is 7-for-34, J.J. Hardy is 2-for-20, and Ryan Flaherty is 1-for-7 off Weaver. Albert Pujols is 2-for-6, Mike Trout is 1-for-4 with two walks, and John McDonald is 2-for-4 off Tillman.

Gausman’s last start came against Seattle, and he gave the O’s 6 2/3 solid innings. He received a no-decision after allowing one run on seven hits and three walks while striking out three. This will be Gausman’s first career start against the Angels, and he’s never faced any of the current players on their roster. Keep the walks to a minimum Gas Man, there’s plenty of defense behind you.

Richards, a 26-year-old righty, is enjoying a true breakout season for the Angels. His ERA and WHIP are terrific, he’s striking out slightly more than a batter an inning, and he’s been tremendous at keeping the ball inside the stadium. He’s only given up four home runs this season, which is tied for 1st in the major leagues. He also leads baseball with 18 wild pitches, but that’s more of a reflection on how good his stuff is, not that he has problems with control. He walks three batters per nine innings, which is an average rate. Richards has struggled in his five career appearances (one start) against the O’s, pitching to a 9.00 ERA and 2.33 WHIP.

Good News: Flaherty is 3-for-4 with a home run, Davis is 1-for-1, and Professional Hitter Steve Pearce is 1-for-1 off Richards.

Bad News: Cruz is 2-for-8, Hardy is 1-for-5, Jones is 1-for-5, and Young is 1-for-5 off Richards. In 48 career games against the Birds, Hamilton has slashed .323/.364/.563 with 12 home runs and 39 RBIs.

Game 3: Thursday, July 31, 7:05 PM on MASN & MLBN

Bud Norris RHP (8-7) vs. Tyler Skaggs LHP (5-5)

Norris’ Season Stats: 102 2/3 IP, 76 Ks, 3.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Norris’ Last Three Starts: 1-2, 15 2/3 IP, 16 Ks, 5.74 ERA, 1.66 WHIP

Skaggs’ Season Stats: 108 1/3 IP, 79 Ks, 4.49 ERA, 1.25 WHIP

Skaggs’ Last Three Starts: 1-0, 17 1/3 IP, 13 Ks, 6.23 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

Norris was knocked around in his last start, taking the loss after giving up four runs on six hits and three walks, with six strikeouts over five innings against the Mainers. Norris did pitch very well against the Angels last week, though. He earned the win after allowing two runs (one earned) on eight hits and two walks, with eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. In his five career starts against the Angels, Norris is 4-0 with a 0.52 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. That’s some dead-ball era, Walter Johnson shit from ol’ Bud.

Skaggs missed almost a month of action earlier this season with a hamstring injury, and he hasn’t been very sharp in his five starts since coming off the disabled list, recording a 4.83 ERA. Skaggs is only in his third year in the big leagues, and he spent his first two years with the Diamondbacks. He was acquired by the Angels in the trade that sent Mark Trumbo to Arizona this past winter. This will be Skaggs first career start against the Orioles.

Good News: In 109 career games against the Angels, Cruz has batted .289/.343/.524 with 25 home runs and 69 RBIs. Pujols is 7-for-39, Kendrick is 2-for-14, Aybar is 2-for-9, and J.B. Shuck is 0-for-7 off Norris.

Bad News: Nelson Cruz is 0-for-3, and Nick Hundley is 0-for-2 off Skaggs. David Freese is 8-for-20, Trout is 5-for-16, Hamilton is 6-for-15 with a home run, and Hank Conger is 3-for-8 off Norris.